Garment incorporating functional electrical circuit

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a breathable heater element for a garment or for the lining of a garment such as an outdoor jacket, e.g. a waterproof jacket. The heater element is formed from porous metallised fabric such a nickel plated woven polyester fabric by photochemical etching of a suitable track pattern onto the metallised fabric. The formed heater element is then laminated into a lining. The material of the lining may be impregnated with microencapsulated functional chemicals such as fragrances, perfumes, antimicrobials or insect repellents. The microcapsules release their contents on activation due to heat generated by the heater element.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a garment or garments incorporating afunctional electrical or electronic circuit. Preferably, the inventionrelates to the incorporation into a garment of a breathable, porous,flexible fabric circuit for use as a heater. The garment may include athermally activated chemical delivery system. The circuit may be used asan electrical interconnect (electro-conductive) system with or withoutelectronic devices, e.g. as a keypad or keyboard.

2. Related Art

A primary function of garments designed for outdoor sports and leisureactivities such as mountaineering, hiking, potholing, motorcycling,etc., is thermal protection, particularly from cold weather conditions.Similarly, such thermal protection is important in many work-wearapplications (e.g. seamen, workmen, delivery personnel, refrigerationplant operators, airport workers, etc.) where, potentially, staff may beexposed to cold conditions for prolonged periods. Conventionally,protection from the cold has been achieved by incorporating withingarments low-convection fabric structures capable of entrapping stillair to provide thermal insulation (e.g. waddings or battings). Thethermal insulation achieved by such structures is principally a functionof fabric thickness: the insulation increases with fabric thickness.Therefore, existing garments with high thermal insulation can be thickand bulky and may have limited conformability. This can restrict themobility and comfort of the wearer in use, which is disadvantageous.

The designs of various active heating systems capable of evolving heatin response to an energy input are known. These systems involveincorporating materials into fibres or films, coatings and laminatedstructures and specify the use of (for example); phase change materials,metals and exothermic materials. The incorporation of electrical heatingsystems within garments has also been described in the prior art andinclude continuous metallised fabric (GB-A-2092868), woven carbonisedfilament (U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,344 and GB-A-2336514) and insulatedconductive yarn (U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,055) heating elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventor has realised that there is a need for a breathableflexible heater which is capable of being incorporated into a garment.Typically, such incorporation should not compromise the flexibility orconformability of the garment. Ideally, such a heater could be capableof forming part of the garment assembly rather than being “bolted-on”,which is a cumbersome approach. Preferably, the heater system shouldalso allow the garment to maintain its vapour management characteristics(e.g. breathability) and not interfere with other performancecharacteristics that govern the functionality of the garment in use(e.g. air permeability, wind and waterproofing). Preferably, the heatingof the garment can be applied locally only to those areas of the garmentthat require heating. Preferably also, regulation of the heater elementtemperature is enabled.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides aflexible heater system for incorporation into a garment. Typically, theheater can be incorporated as a lining into the garment withoutcomplicating the design of the garment and without significantlyinterfering with other aspects of the garment's functionality.

Preferably, the heater system includes a porous metallised fabric heaterelement. The advantage of this is that the microclimate of the garmentto which the heater system is to be applied will be substantiallyunaffected by the presence of the heater system when the heater systemis not in operation. Of particular importance to the microclimate of agarment is the breathability of the garment, i.e. the ability for watervapour to pass from the wearer of the garment, through the garment tothe outside surface of the garment.

Typically, the heater element is formed by photochemical etching ofporous metallised fabric.

Details of the construction, manufacture and heating performance of asuitable flexible, porous etched metallised fabric heater are describedin WO03/053101, the content of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety. WO03/053101 claims priority from UK Patent Application No.0228999.9, filed 14 Dec. 2001.

Preferably, the porous etched metallised fabric heater element with anappropriate track pattern is encapsulated in or laminated between layersof a suitable continuous polymer to produce a waterproof, flexibleheater element. The thickness of the heater element is preferably lessthan 1 mm. The heater element may be connected to a portable battery soas to be powered to deliver significant thermal energy to the wearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the heater element is formed into a laminateby applying a breathable face fabric to the heater element.

The width, length and shape of the etched track pattern can be selectedfrom a wide range in order to optimise the heater element performance orto provide differential heating.

In use, the heater element may be controlled to regulate the rate ofheating and/or the maximum heat output. Suitable temperature regulationcan be achieved either manually by the wearer or via a suitable controldevice. Suitable control devices may incorporate a surface mountedthermistor. Alternatively, temperature regulation can be achieved bylimiting the resistance of the heater itself.

Ensuring that the heater element is thin and flexible allowsminimisation of stiffening or reduction in conformability of thegarment. Garments containing the heater element may be deformed, bentand packed for storage. Garments containing the heater element may alsobe washed (e.g. machine washed or hand washed) without removing theheater element from the garment. Such heater elements are able to retaintheir electrical heating function after such treatments.

It is intended that the heater element can be incorporated into existinggarments, e.g. by the garment manufacturer, without the need for majormodifications to the construction and/or design of such existinggarments.

Preferably, the heater element is incorporated into a laminatedstructure. The laminated structure may include, in addition to theheater element, an outer face fabric (e.g. a woven fabric of man-madefibres). The laminated structure may further include an inner liningfabric. The inner lining fabric may be a woven, knitted, nonwoven ormesh fabric.

Typically, lamination of the fabrics into the laminated structure iscarried out using known processes. Preferably, thermoplastic adhesivesin the form of meltblown webs, grids, mesh structures and/or films areused. Particle binders can also be applied by spraying or coating ontoone or more of the surfaces to be laminated. The laminate may beproduced by calendaring or pressing at an appropriate temperature orusing any other known technique.

The laminated structure may include a breathable film or membrane thatis substantially impervious to liquid water (e.g. rainwater) but whichallows water vapour to pass through.

The heater element may be laminated to the required fabrics (e.g. theface fabric) using a thermoplastic web material. Such materials aretypically fibrous and have a high degree of open porosity. Typicalthermoplastic webs soften when heated (e.g. to around 130° C.). Pressuremay be applied to speed up the softening of the material. Typically, thethermoplastic web material is located between the heater element and theface fabric. The arrangement is then heated and pressed so that thethermoplastic web is softened and deformed so as to adhere the heaterelement to the face fabric to form a laminate. For example, anindustrial ironing process may be used to laminate the heater elementand face fabric in this way.

The heater element may be incorporated into a drop-liner for a garment.

The heater element may be incorporated in a detachable liner for agarment.

The present inventor has realised that the present invention may have afurther advantage over known garments. It is preferred to incorporatefunctional chemicals into an laminate structure according to anembodiment of the invention or into a garment for use with the laminatestructure, said functional chemicals being ones that are capable ofbeing initiated by operation of the heater element.

Preferably, the invention provides heat-activatable agents for releasedue to heat generated by the heater element.

The chemicals (or agents) of interest include antimicrobials (forsuppressing or killing microbiological activity, e.g. bacteria), insectrepellants (for repelling insects such as mosquitoes etc.), fragrancesand perfumes.

In a preferred approach, the chemicals (or agents) of interest aremicroencapsulated in microcapsules. Suitable microcapsules are thosethat melt at a particular initiation temperature. Alternativemicrocapsules are those that allow diffusion of the active chemicalsthrough their walls to effect a slow release mechanism within thegarment. By appropriate temperature control, the heater element in thegarment may then be used to initiate the delivery of such activechemicals or agents.

It will be understood that by the encapsulation of various activechemicals and the use of microcapsules having different thermalcharacteristics, the timing of the delivery of each chemical can becontrolled as required. Normally, the microencapsulated components willnot form part of the heater element itself. Instead they will typicallybe contained within other layers of the laminate structure e.g. theinner fabric layer. The release of the chemicals is typically achievedusing the heater, which is preferably adjacent to the layer containingthe microencapsulated components. The breathability of the fabric heaterassists the circulation of the released functional chemicals.

The operation of the heater element may be controlled in such a way soas to provide a time-varying heating profile to the garment.

Furthermore, the present inventor has realised that the tracks of theflexible metallised fabric can be used as electrical interconnects in afunctional circuit to be incorporated in a garment. In this way, theinvention can be used as an electrical interconnect between circuitcomponents.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention provides abreathable garment flexible electrical interconnect formed from porousmetallised fabric, for use in a garment.

Preferred or optional features of the heater element are also preferredor optional features for the electrical interconnect, where appropriate.

In adapting the invention for this use, the heater element set out aboveneed not be operated as a heater in use, i.e. the heat generated by thetracks of the metallised fabric need not be significant enough toprovide significant heat to the garment. Thus, the present invention mayprovide a garment incorporating a functional electrical circuit. Thecircuit may include active and/or passive components, e.g. LEDs. Thesemay be fixed to the tracks of the circuit using solder, conductiveadhesive or other known conductive attachment techniques. Materialshaving desired electronic properties may be applied to the metallisedfabric in order to create discrete electronic components. For example,resistive or dielectric materials may be applied in this way, givingrise to a textile circuit having useful functional circuit properties.For example, such a textile circuit may be built into a garment toprovide a keypad, e.g. for a mobile phone, or a keyboard or other dataentry or control device.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides a fabric electronicdevice for data entry or control, incorporating an electricalinterconnect as set out above.

Preferably, the device is configurable between a storage configurationand a use configuration by unrolling.

In any of the aspects of the invention set out above, the flexiblemetallised fabric may be shaped so as to provide terminals forelectrical connection of tracks formed on the fabric at an elongateflexible tail portion of the fabric. In this way, the functional part ofthe shape (e.g. the heater element part or the complex circuitry tracks)may be connected to a suitable power supply via the terminals at thetail portion. This avoids the need for conventional wires to be trailedthrough the garment from the power supply to the fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a laminated fabricaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a laminated fabricaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a laminated fabric according to anembodiment of the invention but without an inner fabric layer.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a laminated fabricaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 a schematic cross-sectional view of a laminated fabric accordingto another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic layout of tracks for a first layer for a fabrickeypad according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic layout of tracks for a second layer for afabric keypad, to be used in conjunction with the layer of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a laminated fabric structure 10 having three layers. Heaterelement layer 14 is sandwiched between face fabric layer 12 and innerfabric layer 16.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative laminated fabric structure having fourlayers. Heater element layer 14 is sandwiched between breathable film orcoating 18 and inner fabric layer 16. Face fabric layer 12 is disposedon breathable film 18.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a laminated fabric according to anembodiment of the invention but without an inner fabric layer 16. Onecorner of the limited structure is shown turned over to expose the facefabric layer 12. Breathable layer 18 is disposed on the back surface offace fabric layer 12. Heater element layer 14 is located on thebreathable layer. Inner fabric layer 16 is not shown for the sake ofclarity.

A suitable power supply (not shown) for the heater is supplied by MpowerBatteries Limited, consisting of 2×3.6 V lithium ion batteries. Suitablecontrol circuitry is also available from the same source. See also thecontrol circuitry disclosed in WO 03/039417.

The conductive track pattern of the heater element is shown in FIG. 3.The way in which a metallised fabric may be used to create a suitableheater element will now be described.

The heater element is formed by taking a nickel coated polyester wovenfabric and cutting it to the desired shape for the garment of interest.A suitable material is the commercially available metallised fabricMetalester (Registered Trade Mark), a woven electroless nickel platedpolyester mesh. Such fabrics are available with a variety of threadthicknesses, thread spacings, type of weave and weight of nickel.Threads may typically have a diameter within the range 24 to 600micrometers (microns), a thread count of between 4 and 737 per cm, and ametal coating of varying weight per square metre.

Suitable fabrics may be coated with a continuous layer of metal aftermanufacture, for example by sputtering, by chemical reduction or byelectro-deposition, which results in total encapsulation of all thethreads of the mesh in metal. In an alternative mesh, the individualwarp and weft threads may be metallised prior to fabric production, forexample by sputtering, by chemical reduction or by electro-deposition.

After selecting the desired metallised fabric and cutting it to therequired shape, the desired track pattern is then photochemically etchedfrom the fabric. This is done by first designing and generating asuitable phototool, in a way well known to the skilled person. Next, thefabric is mounted onto a hinged frame of brown styrene board, so thatthe otherwise flimsy fabric can be more readily handled. The fabric isthen cleaned with a commercial surface cleaning agent to assist in theadhesion of the photoresist. Then, the photoresist is applied, typicallyby dip-coating the fabric into a liquid photoresist to ensureapplication of the photoresist to all parts of the fabric by immersion.

Next, the fabric is exposed to a suitable image pattern of ultravioletlight from the phototool. This image is developed. The unrequired metalis then progressively etched away. Then, the photoresist is removed toleave the required metallic track shape for the heater element. Thesesteps will be clear to the skilled person. The metallic track isindicated by reference numeral 14 in FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the flexible heaterelement is combined into a laminated structure 10 by thermal adhesion.The laminate consists of the outer face fabric 12, which is typically awoven fabric composed of man-made fibres, the heater element 14 and theinner lining fabric 16, which ordinarily may be a woven, knitted,nonwoven or mesh fabric.

Lamination is achieved using conventional processes. Preferably,thermoplastic adhesives in the form of meltblown webs, grids, meshstructures and films are used. Particle binders can also be applied byspraying or coating on to one or more of the surfaces to be laminated.The laminate is produced by calendaring or pressing at an appropriatetemperature or using any other known technique.

A suitable thermoplastic web material is the melt-spun interliningmaterial Vilene (registered trade mark) U25 supplied by FreudenbergNonwovens Interlining Division (part of Freudenberg Vliesstoffe KG). TheU25 grade is made from 100% polyamide and has a random web structure anda weight of 25 grams per square metre. The material softens and fuseswhen heat is applied at about 130° C. for about 10 seconds with apressure of 15-30 N/cm². The web has a high degree of open porosity andso allows the lamination between the face fabric and the heater elementto give rise to a breathable structure.

In some protective garments a breathable film/membrane or coating isincorporated to prevent the penetration of liquid water and wind. At thesame time, this film is intended to allow the passage of water vapourfrom the wearer to the outside environment to improve comfort. Commonly,this breathable film is applied to the back of the face fabric as shownin FIG. 2 or is laminated between the face fabric and the inner lining.In such garments, the heater element is incorporated between thebreathable membrane/coating and the inner lining.

FIG. 4 shows a laminated structure 22 according to another embodiment ofthe invention. Similar features to those shown in the other drawings aregiven the same reference numerals for the sake of clarity. The structureof FIG. 4 is intended for use as a drop-liner within a garment. Theheater element 14 is laminated to the inner fabric layer 16. An air gap13 is provided between the heatable inner lining 20 and the outer facefabric 12 and breathable membrane 18 by only loosely attaching the innerlining 20 (i.e. not over its entire surface) to the outer face fabricand breathable membrane.

It is also contemplated that the outer face fabric 12 need not have abreathable membrane.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show garment systems where the linings may not bedesigned to be removable and the heater element is fully integratedwithin the lining fabrics. In some garments it is advantageous to have aremovable or detachable lining to allow them to be interchanged withothers depending on weather conditions or removed for washing forexample. Such inner linings may often be fixed in to the garment using azip, mounted around the circumference of the inner lining.

In another embodiment, the heater element is laminated to the inside ofthe inner lining, which may be a woven, knitted, nonwoven or meshstructure, as shown in FIG. 5. This laminated structure is intended tobe removable using any commonly used fixation system such as a zipfastener or a hook-and-loop system. The inner lining fabric may be afleece or pile fabric depending on the design and intended use of thegarment.

It will be understood that whilst specific examples are provided, otherlaminated, drop and mid-liner combinations are possible in garments andthese are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In a further embodiment, functional chemicals are incorporated into thelaminated structure or the garment. The functional chemicals can beinitiated by the heat generated by the heater element. Such chemicalsinclude antimicrobials (to suppress or kill microbiological activity),insect repellants (to repel mosquitoes etc.) fragrances and perfumes. Ina preferred approach such chemicals are microencapsulated inmicrocapsules, which melt at a particular initiation temperature orothers, which allow diffusion of the active chemicals through theirwalls to effect a slow release mechanism within the garment. Byappropriate temperature control, the heater element in the garment isthen used to initiate the delivery of such active chemicals.

It will be understood that by the encapsulation of various activechemicals and the use of microcapsules having different thermalcharacteristics, the timing of the delivery of each chemical can becontrolled as required. Normally, the microencapsulated components willnot form part of the heater element itself rather they will be containedwithin other layers of the garment e.g. the face fabric layer. Therelease of the chemicals is however achieved using the heater, which ispreferably situated next to the layer which incorporates themicroencapsulated components.

For the specific example of a microencapsulated insect repellent, themicrocapsules of US-A-20030124167 are incorporated into the face fabriclayer.

Suitable materials for encapsulating suitable agents include lipids suchas wax, paraffin, tristearin, stearic acid, monoglycerides,diglycerides, beeswax, oils, fats and hardened oils.

Suitable perfumes and fragrances are known. These may be encapsulated inwax, for example.

Microencapsulated fragrances are available from CelessenceInternational, of Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 4AB, UK.

In another embodiment, the invention is extended to create a garmentwhich incorporates an electro-conductive circuit. Active and passivecomponents are mounted to the fabric circuit track using solder or aconductive adhesive or similar attachment systems. In addition,electronic materials e.g. resistive or dielectric materials can beapplied to the fabric circuit to create discrete components thusallowing a complete functional electronic circuit board to be made. Theinvention utilises a porous, etched fabric circuit as described above.The resulting electro-conductive textile circuit can be incorporated into a garment in a similar manner as described in relation to FIGS. 1-5to improve functionality and to enable the control of associatedequipment for example, mobile phone keypads, military applications etc.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic layout of conductive tracks for a first layerfor a fabric keypad according to an embodiment of the invention. Themetallised fabric layer 30 is photochemically etched to produce thetrack layout shown and then cut to the required shape. Tracks 32 followa known layout between contact pads 34. Tracks 32 lead to terminals 38on flexible tail portion 36. The tail portion 38 shown in this drawingis short, but it will be clear to the skilled person that the formationof a significantly longer tail portion is easily accomplished in thelight of the present disclosure.

Thicker tracks 40 are also formed. These provide electrical connectionsfor LEDs (not shown) to be connected between adjacent tracks, e.g. atlocation 42.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic layout of tracks for a second layer for afabric keypad, to be used in conjunction with the layer of FIG. 6. Themetallised fabric layer 50 is photochemically etched to produce thetrack layout shown and then cut to shape. Tracks 52 follow a knownlayout between contact pads 34. Tracks 32 lead to terminals 58 onflexible tail portion 56.

When assembled into the fabric keypad device, the first layer 30 is laidover the second layer 50 with a spacer layer (not shown) located betweenthem. As will be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the overlaying of the layersbrings corresponding contact pads into register with each other. Thesecond layer is covered by another fabric layer having key designationsprinted on it, e.g. by thermostatic printing (registered trade mark).Pressure applied to a particular key by a user's finger pushes contactpad 52 into electrical contact with contact pad 32 through acorresponding hole through the spacer layer, completing a circuit. Thiscircuit completion is recognised by suitable known control means, andthe function corresponding to that key is carried out in a known way.For example, in the case of a TV remote control, a suitable signal issent from the TV remote control corresponding to the key pressed.Alternatively, in the case of a mobile phone keypad, a number signal issent to a display device. Alternatively, in the case of a keyboard, asignal corresponding to the key depressed is sent to a computer or otherdata manipulation device.

Of course, the flexible electrical interconnect need not be used in agarment. It may be produced as an independent device, e.g. as a roll-upkeyboard or the like. Given the disclosure of the flexible device forincorporation in a garment, the skilled person will be able to producesuch an independent device.

The above embodiments have been described by way of example.Modifications of these embodiments, further embodiments andmodifications thereof will be apparent to the skilled person and as suchare within the scope of the invention.

1. A breathable garment heater element formed from porous flexiblemetallised fabric, for use in a garment.
 2. A garment heater elementaccording to claim 1 formed by photochemical etching of the metallisedfabric.
 3. A garment heater element according to claim 1 having athermal protection device to allow temperature control of the heaterelement.
 4. A garment heater according to claim 3 wherein the thermalprotection device is a surface mounted thermistor.
 5. A garment heaterelement according to claim 1 wherein the metallised fabric is coatedwith a continuous layer of metal.
 6. A garment heater element accordingto claim 1 wherein the fabric comprises yarns and/or fibres, theindividual yarns or fibres being encapsulated in metal prior tomanufacture of the fabric.
 7. A garment heater element according toclaim 1 wherein the fabric is any one of woven, non-woven, knitted, alaminated composite, pressed felt, braid.
 8. A garment heater elementaccording to claim 1 wherein the fabric is woven from polyester threadsand the metal is nickel.
 9. A garment heater element according to claim1 having termination pads for connection of the heater element to abattery/control system.
 10. A garment heater element according to claim1 laminated between layers of a suitable continuous polymer to produce awaterproof, flexible heater element.
 11. A garment including abreathable garment heater element formed from porous flexible metallisedfabric.
 12. A garment according to claim 11 including a breathable filmor membrane that is substantially impervious to liquid water but whichallows water vapour to pass through.
 13. A garment according to claim 11having heat-activatable agents for release due to heat generated by theheater element.
 14. A garment according to claim 13 wherein theheat-activatable agents are disposed in an inner fabric face of thelining or garment.
 15. A garment according to claim 13 wherein theagents are selected from antimicrobials, insect repellents, fragrancesand perfumes.
 16. A garment according to claim 13 wherein the agents aremicroencapsulated in microcapsules.
 17. A garment according to claim 16wherein the microcapsules melt at an initiation temperature.
 18. Agarment according to claim 16 wherein the microcapsules allow diffusionof the agent through their walls to effect a slow release mechanismwithin the garment or lining at an initiation temperature.
 19. A garmentlining including a breathable garment heater element formed from porousflexible metallised fabric.
 20. A garment lining according to claim 19including a breathable film or membrane that is substantially imperviousto liquid water but which allows water vapour to pass through.
 21. Agarment lining according to claim 19 having heat-activatable agents forrelease due to heat generated by the heater element.
 22. A garmentlining according to claim 21 wherein the heat-activatable agents aredisposed in an inner fabric face of the lining or garment.
 23. A garmentlining according to claim 21 wherein the agents are selected fromantimicrobials, insect repellents, fragrances and perfumes.
 24. Agarment lining according to claim 21 wherein the agents aremicroencapsulated in microcapsules.
 25. A garment lining according toclaim 24 wherein the microcapsules melt at an initiation temperature.26. A garment lining according to claim 24 wherein the microcapsulesallow diffusion of the agent through their walls to effect a slowrelease mechanism within the garment or lining at an initiationtemperature.
 27. A breathable flexible electrical interconnect formedfrom porous metallised fabric, for use in a garment.
 28. A breathableflexible electrical interconnect according to claim 27 formed byphotochemical etching of the metallised fabric.
 29. A breathableflexible electrical interconnect according to claim 27 wherein themetallised fabric is coated with a continuous layer of metal.
 30. Abreathable flexible electrical interconnect according to claim 27wherein the fabric comprises yarns and/or fibres, the individual yarnsor fibres being encapsulated in metal prior to manufacture of thefabric.
 31. A breathable flexible electrical interconnect according toclaim 27 wherein the fabric is any one of woven, non-woven, knitted, alaminated composite, pressed felt, braid.
 32. A breathable flexibleelectrical interconnect according to claim 27 incorporated into a deviceselected from a data input device, keypad, and keyboard for a garment.33. A garment incorporating a breathable flexible electricalinterconnect formed from porous metallised fabric.
 34. A flexible fabricelectronic device for data entry or control, incorporating an electricalinterconnect formed from porous metallised fabric.
 35. A flexible fabricelectronic device according to claim 34 wherein the device isconfigurable between a storage configuration and a use configuration byunrolling.